UK Loses the Lucrative EuroFighter Deal with India to France

Britain Loses $20 Billion Deal

Britain has lost the lucrative $20 billion deal to France. The deal is about supplying the fighter airplanes to Indian Air Force. Britain was confident of selling its Eurofighters planes to India and clinch the deal in its favour. Much lobbying went on to secure India’s favour. These Eurofighter planes are very competent and their capabilities were demonstrated live in the recent NATO war against Libya. But all the efforts Britain put in went waste and France secured the lucrative contract finally. Nikolas Sarkozy, the French President proved smarter than the British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Britain Wants To Maintain Equidistance between India and Pakistan

What went wrong and why Britain lost the lucrative deal to France? There was nothing wrong with the capabilities of the Eurofighters. Nobody questions it. But the problem is that Britain is more often than not, identifying itself with Pakistani interests. In the name of keeping equidistance between India and Pakistan, both its former Colonies, Britain presents an appearance as though it is in favour of Pakistan.

British Domestic Compulsions

But if you analyse British politics and its domestic political compulsions, its tilt towards Pakistan is most understandable. There are millions of Muslims permanently entrenched in Britain. These Muslims are British citizens. Most of them have come from Pakistan. These Muslims have deep connections with their relatives and friends in Pakistan. Pakistan is as important to them as Britain is. Therefore the Labour Party and the Conservative Party have to be cordial with Pakistan in order to woo these Muslim voters towards their side to win the elections in Britain. In fact, the Muslims will become a majority in Britain in another decade or two.

Margaret Thatcher Paid the Price In 1990

If the political parties and their leaders are perceived to be friendly with India, then Muslims living in Britain will get angry and punish them in the elections. Margaret Thatcher lost the election in 1990 after ruling continuously for 12 long years because she chose to send British troops to Iraq thereby antagonising the British Muslims. Today, no British leader is prepared to antagonise Pakistan. Therefore their actions are understandable.

Pakistan and Its Friends Are a Security Threat to India

However, for India, Pakistan is a security threat and a big enemy with whom it has fought six wars in the past. At present, Pakistani government, Pakistani army and the ISI are sponsoring terrorists to strike havoc in India. Under the circumstances, a defence contract of this much magnitude with Britain will be simply unthinkable. The enemy’s friend is also an enemy. David Cameron may have his own compulsions to be extremely friendly with Pakistan. Let him be friendly and secure the Muslim votes in the elections. India does not have any objection to that. But there is no compulsion for India to grant an important defence contract for $20 billion or more to Britain.

Algeria Is Not India’s Enemy

France’s case on the other hand is different. The French fighter planes to be supplied by Dassault are equally efficient. France also has a sizeable Muslim population but the French Muslims are mainly from North Africa like Algeria, which once upon a time had been a French Colony. These North African Muslims do not have any connection with Pakistan and most of them do not even know about the Kashmir dispute. Moreover the French government or its political parties do not appease the Muslims for votes. In fact the French Government has banned wearing burqa (a black face mask) by the Muslim women. Even for argument’s sake if we assume that France may appease and keep friendly relations with Algeria, it will not affect India’s security as Algeria is not India’s enemy.

India Took a Good Decision in Not Giving the Deal to Britain

It will be safe and in the interest of Indian security to hand over such important contracts to countries like France, Germany, USA, Russia, Japan and Israel. If India buys these planes from Britain, will Britain service these aircrafts during an Indo Pakistani war? That would embarrass Pakistan and anger the British Muslims. The conclusion is simple. Both Britain and France are happy and successful in this deal. France is happy as it has secured this deal for a huge amount. This single deal may give Sarkozy another term of Office in the coming French general elections. Britain should also be happy as it is winning the friendship of Pakistan, the epicentre of all terrorism in the world.

UK Loses the Lucrative EuroFighter Deal with India to France

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Comments 7 comments

This is not a hub concerned with an arms deal, this is an attack on Britain.

In Britain we cannot tell the difference between a Pakistani or an Indian, Why you might ask?

We cannot tell the difference between the two different peoples because we look beyond nationality. If a person comes to Britain requiring help and assistance, we give it, we don't then ask for their original nationality.

This is a distinction you are making.

I don't need you to like or even respect Britain, i couldn't care less, but i would like it if you could mark your attacks as an attack, and not hide it behind a supposed response to a failed arms deal

ramkimeena 4 years ago from India Author

Dear dadibobs,

Thank you for your comments. I understand that a British citizen (white people) cannot make a distinction merely by looking at a person whether he is an Indian or a Pakistani. The same is true if an Indian looks at a German and an Englishman, he cannot make a distinction. In fact I have not written anything against the British people at all. In fact many British people supported India's freedom from Britain. It is an open and democratic nation. All that I have written is that the British politicians and government should not use the so called 'aid' as a bargaining point to clinch a deal. In fact in my hub I have attacked the Indian corrupt politicians and leaders much more than David Cameron! I have even stated that the 'aid' granted by Britain is not used for poor people but to swell the Swiss bank accounts of the corrupt Indian politicians and leaders.

Therefore I like to clarify that I have nothing against the British people.

Best Wishes to you

dadibobs 4 years ago from Manchester, England

British citizens come in all colors, you don't know if i'm white!

Muslim population (Pew report 2010)

India - 177,286,000

Pakistan - 178,097,000

You claim Britain favor's Pakistan because of its Muslim population, according to the Pew report of 2010, there is not much difference between Indian and Pakistani Muslim population, so what's to favor?.

John Major became Prime Minister during the first Gulf War, this is true, but thatcher didn't resign over this, her failed poll tax (Causing riots and mass non payment) had a much more influential affect.

If she left because of the First Gulf War, whey did her political party stay in power?

You make a lot of assumptions, as is your right, but your hub attempts to paint Britain in an unfair light.

ramkimeena 4 years ago from India Author

Dear dadibobs,

Thank you for your comments. I agree with you that Margaret Thatcher lost because of the poll tax (had she named the tax as something different, she would not have received that much criticism). But the Gulf war also contributed to her ouster. British and American people do not want their soldiers to die or suffer hard in thankless third world countries. Vietnam war, Iraq war, Afghan War and many others can be cited as examples.

The main difference in the figures of Muslims in India and Pakistan is that nearly 99% of Pakistan population consists of Muslims. But in India only around 16% are Muslims.

I am of the opinion that Britain favours Pakistan much more than India in its dealings. Britain asked India to deposit its physical gold in London in 1991 for availing a small loan. But it never heaped this insult on Pakistan. What for? Britain has not attributed any reasons for its behaviour. Therefore it is left to individuals to guess reasons. I have figured it out that Britain has done this for Muslim votes in Britain. If my reasoning is wrong, then what was the actual reason for Britain's behaviour? Did it consider Pakistan more creditworthy than India? Did it consider Pakistan financially more stable than India? These are all absurd reasons. I am unable to figure out any other reason for Britain's behaviour.

Best wishes to you,

pramodgokhale 4 years ago from Pune( India)

Why we purchase British Air crafts?

Now look at the story.After 1998 nuclear explosion ,economic sanctions were imposed by USA and many other European nations,of course that does not affect India at all.Meanwhile some Harrier jets of Indian Navy were in England for maintenance checks and England did n't return though we owned , were kept there for long period.India could not do much and only tough governments could have done tit for tat by seizing British assets in India.

This is a example what western nations play at critical period.

ramkimeena 4 years ago from India Author

Dear pramodgokhale,

I thank you for your valuable comments. I fully agree with your views.